RI DIGITAL LINK

APRS-HOW-TO

APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) is a digital data channel used by amateur operators to exchange position reports, short messages, weather, and tactical information over RF and through internet‑connected gateways. It runs mainly on VHF and uses digipeaters and internet IGates so stations can see each other on maps and share short, useful updates.

RI DIGITAL LINK leverages APRS for situational awareness, messaging, and weather tools that complement voice activity on the system. This page shows practical things you can do with APRS, and you can pair it with a “Getting Started with APRS” PDF that covers basic RF setup, paths, and good operating practice.

Basic APRS setup (quick reference)

• In the United States, the primary APRS VHF frequency is 144.390 MHz FM.

• Use your callsign with a sensible SSID, for example CALLSIGN-9 for mobile, CALLSIGN-7 for handheld, or CALLSIGN-1 for home.

• A common starting path for mobiles is WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1; fixed stations often use WIDE2-1 or a shorter path.

• Typical beacon rates: mobiles every 1–3 minutes while moving, fixed stations every 15–30 minutes, slower if you don’t need frequent updates.

Download: aprs-how-to-getting-started

Things you can do with APRS

APRS is more than a map of moving stations; it is a live data channel you can use right from your radio for day‑to‑day and emergency work.​

• Exchange short text messages and quick status updates.​​

• See who is on the air, where they are, and what frequencies they are using (situational awareness).

• Discover nearby repeaters, hotspots, and other useful “objects” on the map.

• Join group chats using the ANSRVR announcement server on the internet.​

• Run local RF group messaging and APRS nets with services like APRSPH (uses RF, with internet assist when available).​

• Send position reports and track mobiles, HTs, and event assets.​​

• Pull in live weather and WX station data from your area.

• Use SMS and email gateways, including Winlink access via WLNK‑1.​

• Spot and follow SOTA / POTA activity over RF.​

Getting weather via APRS (WXBOT and WXYO)

APRS weather bots let you pull forecasts and observations straight to your radio with a short APRS message.

WXBOT basics

WXBOT is a U.S.‑focused APRS weather robot that listens for messages and returns National Weather Service forecasts or METAR reports. You talk to it by sending a normal APRS message with specific keywords in the body.​

• Send an APRS message to: WXBOT.​

• In the message body, you can use:

  • today, tonight, or tomorrow for a quick local forecast.​

  • A 5‑digit ZIP code for a forecast at that location.​

  • A CWOP station ID such as DW6273 to see that station’s conditions.​

  • A 3‑ or 4‑letter ICAO/IATA code like SFO or LAX to get a METAR report.​

WXBOT replies with a brief forecast or METAR that usually fits in a single APRS message, with longer or hazardous forecasts split into multiple messages.​

Full command list and examples:
https://sites.google.com/site/ki6wjp/wxbot​

WXYO basics

WXYO is a fork of WXBOT that uses the OpenWeather API and can be used worldwide, while still supporting CWOP and METAR‑type queries. It is designed to give a bit more detail and to work outside the U.S. where NWS data is not available.​

• Send an APRS message to: WXYO.​

• In the message body, you can send:

  • Your <CallSign-SSID> to get a forecast for the last known position of that station.​

  • A <Grid Square> to get a forecast for that grid.​

WXYO responds with more detailed conditions and forecast information for the requested area, usually in one or a few APRS messages.​

Using ANSRVR for APRS group messaging

The ANSRVR service lets you create and join APRS “groups” so multiple stations can chat together over RF with help from an internet server. You interact with it by sending APRS messages to the service with simple text commands in the message body.​

• Address your APRS message to: ANSRVR.​

• Put one of the commands below in the message body.​

Information and housekeeping

• ? – List all known groups (usually with member counts).​

• ? <group> – Show how many stations are in <group>.​

• D – Display descriptions for all groups.​

• D <group> – Add or update the description for <group>.​

• L – List the groups you are currently subscribed to.​

• K <group> <group> – Silently “keep alive” more than one group you belong to.​

Joining, sending, and leaving

• CQ <group> <text> – Join <group> and send <text> to everyone already in it. If the group does not exist, it is created and you become the owner.​

• U <group> – Leave <group> and stop receiving its traffic.​

Commonly used ANSRVR groups you might see include PAWA, BALLOON, ECHOLINK, ISS, JOTA, and POTA.​

APRS good operating practices

A few simple habits keep the APRS channel useful and readable for everyone.

• Use the standard local APRS frequency and a sane beacon rate for how fast you are moving.

• Choose reasonable paths (for example, WIDE1-1,WIDE2-1 mobile, shorter for fixed) instead of long, high‑hop paths.

• Avoid generic or anonymous callsigns; always identify with your proper callsign‑SSID.

• Keep status texts short and meaningful so they fit comfortably in APRS messages.

• Review your own APRS track on a map from time to time and adjust your settings if you are beaconing too often or too widely